Report: Celtics in Running to Sign Bulls Center Omer Asik in Hopes of Keeping Kevin Garnett

To keep one big man, the Celtics may need to sign another.

That's the theory behind extending an offer to Bulls center Omer Asik, according to Bulls.com's Sam Smith.

Smith says the Celtics are one of the teams putting together a "strong offer" for Asik.

"The thinking is it might help them retain Kevin Garnett, who though playing very well at center the second half of the season doesn't want to return as a center," Smith writes.

Asik, a 7-foot, 255-pound center from Turkey, was picked by the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round of the 2008 draft and immediately sent to the Bulls in a three-team deal. He has averaged 2.9 points and 4.4 rebounds a game in two seasons with the Bulls.

Photo via Facebook/Omer Asik